The Greater London Softball Mixed League (GLSML) development programme will be in full flow again this summer, offering Monday night sessions in Regents Park, from June 3 through August 19, to anyone who wants to get into softball but has found it hard to find a spot in a league team.
These recruitment and development sessions have now been running for the past 12 years and have resulted in many new players and new teams joining the growing family of GLSML softballers. In 2012, there was a double celebration for Phil Candice and the other coaches who run the development sessions: the Development Team created from the 2011 sessions won promotion in its first year in the GLSML, and the 2012 sessions produced two new teams for the league in 2013.
2013 schedule
Pitches for the 2013 development sessions have already been booked and another bumper group of new recruits is expected.
The sessions will begin on Monday 3 June and run for the following 12 weeks. The cost is £3 per person per session, and as in previous years, if the development group produces a team or two that will enter the league next year, then money will be given back to the players through their first year's league registration fee being paid.
All necessary equipment is supplied, so people just need to turn up wearing something suitable to play on grass.
The full list of GLSML development sessions for 2013, all on Monday evenings in Regents Park, is:
June 3 – Pitch 7
June 10 – Pitch 7
June 17 – Pitch 7
June 24 – Pitch 7
July 1 – Pitch 7
July 8 – Pitch 7
July 15 – Pitch 7
July 22 – Pitch 7
July 29 – Pitch 7
August 5 – Pitch 7
August 12 – Pitch 8
August 19 – Pitch 7
Feedback
Here are some reactions from people who attended development sessions in 2012:
“Everyone is in the same boat … virtually everyone is starting with zero knowledge of the game so you won't look silly if you mess up or don't understand what is going on. The teachers are very friendly and always happy to give extra advice or coaching on certain aspects of the game if you ask. The vibe around softball is great and you are guaranteed to make a lot of new friends!”
“I really enjoyed the softball sessions. Having never played before, I was worried about being the worst person when I first started. However, my worries disappeared almost immediately.”
“I liked the social side – everyone seemed very friendly. I think it's definitely an advantage that I was there from the first week – I got to know everyone a bit quicker.”
“I really liked the format of the sessions, building up confidence, starting with the throwing etc. It was great to see everyone's progression, and by the end I felt we had all improved a lot.”
“I think ultimately it's tough to balance the sessions for a large group of people of varying levels, confidence and knowledge of the game. I think you guys did a really great job, and I would happily suggest it to anyone keen to give it a try. I'm sure if more sports had similar sessions they'd grow in popularity!”
“Playing a game for the first time [made me] nervous, although it was made easier due to the fact that everyone was at the same level. I also liked the fact that if there were newcomers in the later sessions, they worked separately at the beginning of the session so as to get the same focus on basic technique. The focus on playing games in the last sessions was great. I enjoyed seeing how far I had come as a player as well as how far my teammates had come! Overall, softball has been fantastic! I have made a great new group of friends and have drunk plenty of alcohol as well as playing some great softball. It's a sport that everyone should go and do if they are looking for some fun!”
“Newcomers were welcomed throughout the sessions and the coaches coped admirably with the need to cater for different levels of skills and abilities, so that people kept coming back.”
“I can't recommend these development sessions enough! For anyone thinking of attending but who may be apprehensive about trying something new, I'd say it's definitely worth going for it. I found it to be a very rewarding experience and thanks so much to Phil and Nick for dedicating so much time to making us better players!”
"Going to the development sessions, I was looking for a way to get into softball without being the complete beginner in a competitive environment. Despite the size of the group the coaches keep a good eye on everyone's progress. After just moving back to London I was really hoping for a way of getting to know a few new people while doing something fun, and now the problem is just finding time for the socials.”
“Such a welcoming group of people. I can't wait for next season!”
Contact details
Anyone want to join in the GLSML development sessions should contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more details.
